Montreal’s on a three-game losing streak, as are the Riders — but, at 8-4, somehow it doesn’t look quite as bad on them. And the Als, a team that never has missed the playoffs since the franchise was resurrected 18 years ago, are in danger of precisely that this season.

Even in 2007, the last and only season in which the Als had a losing record — and one of only two times they finished as low as third in the East Division — Montreal was 6-6 at this juncture.

For argument’s sake, let’s say the glass is half full.

If the Als hadn’t squandered a 24-0 lead at Calgary, had they not blown a late 21-14 advantage at Saskatchewan, or a 23-8 third-quarter cushion at home against Toronto, this team could be 7-5. Teams that know how to win don’t find ways to lose.

Of course, were it not for that 57-yard Hail Mary from Tanner Marsh to Éric Deslauriers against British Columbia, they might also be 3-9.

We get it. The Als were 2-3 when Dan Hawkins was fired. The team has gone 2-5 under general manager Popp. Guess what? Had Hawkins remained, they might not have won another game and there might have been a palace revolt.

Here’s the bottom line for people who are wondering what’s wrong with the Als: No Anthony Calvillo. No Jamel Richardson. No Brandon Whitaker. No Scott Flory and Andrew Woodruff on the offensive line. Oh yeah, no Marc Trestman. Is it any wonder this team’s struggling offensively?

Yes, the Argonauts have continued winning without Ricky Ray, Chad Kackert and Chad Owens. The Stampeders have the league’s best record despite using three quarterbacks. The Riders won a game with Drew Willy and the Lions won last weekend with Travis Lulay.

The Als’ lack of depth has been exposed.

And if Adrian McPherson, Calvillo’s backup for five seasons, was considered to be the next great franchise quarterback, another team would have signed him when he became a free agent last winter.

When the final chapter on this year’s team is finally written, the concussion suffered last month by veteran quarterback Calvillo might turn out to be its silver lining, in a twisted manner. It provided playing opportunities for Marsh and Josh Neiswander, just as Troy Smith, eventually, will get his chance, too, probably as early as this weekend.

“In some ways, this was going to happen somehow, in some season,” Popp said. “For any extended period that we’ve lost Anthony, we’ve lost games. It happened in 2001, 2007 and now in 2013. At the end of the day, there’s some growing pains with that. People behind him aren’t seasoned who played a lot, and you go through pains.

“It’s where we are today. Maybe we can get it all turned around in the next six weeks, get in the playoffs and get hot,” Popp added. “Then, for the future, it’s bright for winning.”

This was bound to happen sooner or later. After 10 first-place finishes, three Grey Cups and five other championship-game appearances, perhaps the time has come for this organization to finally admit what eventually was inevitable — the Als are rebuilding. Other organizations that haven’t had nearly the same success toss around the ‘R’ word like it’s second nature.

“I’ve told our guys we don’t rebuild. We reload. That’s what we do in Montreal,” Popp said. “Going into the season, it wasn’t. On paper, we had an all-star team, similar to 2007. That was a rebuilding year. This has become similar to that. The locker has suddenly become a bunch of young players.

“In many ways, it becomes a rebuilding year that didn’t set out to be. There’s truth to that, no question.”

There has been some good this season, starting on defence, where an aggressive, but sometimes overworked unit has displayed signs of improvement under new co-ordinator Noel Thorpe. Montreal’s defence is physical and makes things happen. Chip Cox and Kyries Hebert have been sensational. And when Popp’s seeking this team’s next head coach — provided he doesn’t retain the job himself — he might merely have to walk down the hall at Olympic Stadium into Thorpe’s office.

Special teams? Arguably slightly improved — yet vastly improved simply with the addition of co-ordinator Ray Rychleski. Nothing against Andy Bischoff, his predecessor, but he was overworked under Trestman.

“Nobody wants to see anybody get hurt,” Popp said. “I want A.C. to lead us to a Grey Cup and go out on top. But at some point, this was how it was going to be. We have a new staff. Everything’s new.

“It’s a work in progress. I hate to say that. We’ve had rotating quarterbacks, multiple injuries to different go-to players and worked on the run. We’ve adjusted how we practice, the playbook a number of times. We still haven’t found the answers. We made steps last week to simplify it, and we’re executing it better. Now we have to build on that.”

The transition would have been smoother, of course, had the Als traded for a proven veteran quarterback. We’ve heard rumblings, two years ago, the Als at least explored the possibility of trading for Ray. It’s probably a moot point now. We doubt Calvillo and Ray could have coexisted, and no CFL team can afford to have that much salary invested in only two players.

The Lions didn’t win immediately under Lulay. And then, eventually, they did. So perhaps one of Marsh, Neiswander or Smith is the next guy. And maybe they’re not. But remove Calvillo from the equation — something that could happen as early as next season — and you’d be amazed how many established quarterbacks would consider coming to Montreal.

“If there’s a positive to all this, we’re getting to see the young talent,” Popp said. “What we have for the future, what we have to work with and (potentially) know who will be the next person. Even when everybody’s healthy, we’ll know what we have. That’s one positive.”

Of course, the Als quickly are reaching the point of no-return. Popp knows this, as do the players. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades. Moral victories don’t mean much in the world of pro sports. This team has to start winning games. Before they know it, there won’t be a next week.

“When you win like we’ve won for years, I’m sure people enjoy having you down and kicking you,” Popp said. And he’s correct, the Als getting no sympathy from around the league. “We don’t want to be that team.

“Nobody wants to hear you almost won … next time … you should have won. We need to win. We just have to do it.”

Perhaps the Als are getting the Riders at just the right time, given Saskatchewan’s losing skid, the fact the Riders will be without starting tailback Kory Sheets. And perhaps the visitors will be loose and comfortable, escaping the pressure cauldron that has become football in Saskatchewan, especially in a year in which Regina’s the Grey Cup host.

“Does everybody say they’re catching us at the right time?” Popp said, laughing. “Maybe everybody that played us said we’re catching Montreal at the right time. But there’s going to be a point where (a team) has caught us at the wrong time.

“We’re going to get to that point.”

For frustrated football fans who are used to winning, that can’t come soon enough. The Canadiens’ season is about to begin. It won’t be difficult for people to avoid going to Molson Stadium. And don’t think for a moment that point has been lost on owner Robert Wetenhall.

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